This is a good continuation of the District X series. It did remind me a bit of stories like the film District 9 and the graphic novel The Surrogates....moreThis is a good continuation of the District X series. It did remind me a bit of stories like the film District 9 and the graphic novel The Surrogates. Yes, I know the latter was made into a film too, but you are better off reading the graphic novel. Anyhow, those are also tales of different people or aliens being forced into ghettos by larger society and to an extent the law enforcement tasked with dealing with those ghettos. Fans of X-Men will like this as it looks at mutants are more human and humane beings, the normal side (if there is such a thing as normal) aside from the big heroes and villains.
Bishop and Ortega have a new problem in District X, underground dwellers. But are they really the main problem? Or is there something else under the city? This volume also includes some additional material that may be of interest to fans as well. Overall, this was a very good volume and an entertaining read. (less)
A new set of stories where Agent Graves gives the briefcase to people who need justice. However, now we are also getting hints of who Agent Graves may...moreA new set of stories where Agent Graves gives the briefcase to people who need justice. However, now we are also getting hints of who Agent Graves may be working for. In between the stories of the gambler and the waitress, we get also stories that begin to hint how deep things go. It really reminds me of the conspiracies of The X-Files and the character of the Cigarette-Smoking Man. I did find the story of the diner waitress particularly moving, and this is a strength in the series. You can always be moved by at least one tale. Others are thrilling, and others leave you wanting more. Maybe that is why I only gave it four stars, because at the end, I do want to find out more than just "to be continued." I will tell you this: the series is clearly getting better. And once you start this, you won't be able to put it down. (less)
This was a quick, light read. Deadpool faces Tiger Shark, and then Bullseye. After events where Deadpool basically saves the world and Norman Osborn t...moreThis was a quick, light read. Deadpool faces Tiger Shark, and then Bullseye. After events where Deadpool basically saves the world and Norman Osborn takes the credit, our merc still wants to get paid. Osborn would rather not. Mayhem ensues. The thing about reading Deadpool is that you read it for the humor as much as for the adventure tale. If you like dark humor, you will probably enjoy this anti-hero. I know I did, and I will keep reading this series. Only reason I did not give this edition five stars is that the collection skips a part of the story, which while not essential to the continuity, would have been nice. And the ending was a bit blah, yet consistent. I will let readers decide. But still, entertaining, and I will seek out Deadpool's next adventure. (less)
Another good installment of this series. This volume starts a new cycle, the "Legacy of the Drow" cycle. Just when Drizzt might start thinki...moreAnother good installment of this series. This volume starts a new cycle, the "Legacy of the Drow" cycle. Just when Drizzt might start thinking he can settle down in Mithral Hall with his friends, his past comes to haunt him as his sister and the remnants of his former house come seeking revenge. As always with this series, the art is very good, and it complements the story nicely. Overall, the Drizzt tales lend themselves to the graphic novel adaptation very well. If you enjoyed the novels, you will likely enjoy this graphic novel adaptation. It was overall a pretty good, entertaining read. (less)
I remember reading this back in 1995 or so. This was the time when I was still a school teacher. A few of my colleagues read it back then with me as w...moreI remember reading this back in 1995 or so. This was the time when I was still a school teacher. A few of my colleagues read it back then with me as well. We did not like it at the time, and after I read it, I have not read it since. However, since I did make a note of the date I read it, I am adding it to my list. However, it is not much of a memorable book, and I would not really recommend it. (less)
Mr. Maher is definitely in top shape with this book. Now, a few out there may say he is too cynical, but let us be honest: the man says what needs to ...moreMr. Maher is definitely in top shape with this book. Now, a few out there may say he is too cynical, but let us be honest: the man says what needs to be said regardless of who gets offended. If as a society, we took a lot of his advice, things would probably be a lot better, but that would require people to get off their couches, get the big sticks out of their asses, and actually do something. At the end of the day, much of this is common sense, or it would seem common sense if people still had any common sense left. He does great takes and provides views on just about every topic under the sun without pulling any punches. If you like to think, if you like to have a laugh now and then, and you appreciate people who tell it like it is, this is the book for you. If it offends you, or you think Mr. Maher is just too negative, too cynical, or so on, you are probably one of the ones with their heads up their asses.
Only reason I did not rate it higher was a couple of the longer pieces did seem a bit too long, especially that one on Rick Perry, although, to give the author credit, what he says about Perry is certainly true, and it seems a bit prophetic now that Perry is gone from the GOP primaries. This is a pretty good book to read now during the Elections season. (less)
I went with high expectations for this book, and except for one or two stories, it was mostly disappointing. Maybe it was just not the book for me; I ...moreI went with high expectations for this book, and except for one or two stories, it was mostly disappointing. Maybe it was just not the book for me; I noticed a good number of people here in GoodReads gave it positive reviews. However, for me, it is a book "inspired by the canon," and apparently that was not saying much. The great detective is mostly peripheral in this collection of stories about Sherlockiana geeks, collectors, and other folks with an interest in Sherlock Holmes but otherwise not related to the detective. This was basically like getting a book that claims to be inspired by Star Trek canon, only to find it is just so-so stories about the Trekkies you meet at conventions who happen to know every single detail of the episodes in the original series, and use that knowledge to solve mysteries. Just because one or two can deduce, as another reviewer mentioned, it is not the deductive art of Sherlock Holmes. That was the main thing that was missing. As I mentioned, there was one or two good entertaining stories here, but overall, the anthology is hit and miss. I will give it credit for being something different, but personally, not something terribly impressive in terms of substance.
I will mention that I have read various anthologies of Sherlock Holmes stories, in addition to having read the whole original canon. If you want something along the lines of Conan Doyle's work, something that truly captures the essence and pays good tribute to the great detective, pick up one of those other anthologies, or just go back the original. In fact, after reading this book, I felt the urge to go back and read Conan Doyle's work, just to remind myself how good that is. For now, if asked for what is a good anthology of Sherlock Holmes stories, I would recommend Shadows Over Baker Street, a nice set of stories where the great detective is tossed in the world of H.P. Lovecraft. That is worth reading. This, in my estimation, not so much. As I said, there are one or two stories in it, including one by Neil Gaiman, but the rest are pretty forgettable.
However, if you enjoy light mysteries with amateur sleuths, anything from Murder, She Wrote to the Mary Russell series (one of this books editors is the author of that series), you just might like this book. Just because I did not enjoy it does not mean you might not either. (less)
This is an interesting little book. My only real issue is the writers they chose to interview. Other than Alison Bechdel, the others were mostly liter...moreThis is an interesting little book. My only real issue is the writers they chose to interview. Other than Alison Bechdel, the others were mostly literary fiction or critics of the stuffy variety. As more of a genre reader as I am, I found it difficult to care for what they offered. Having said though, the book is an easy read. You get a look into the books, their shelves, and the ways these folks think about books, how they relate to books. That part I did find interesting. The photography is very good by the way, which is another reason I liked the book. If you like books about books and reading, this is a pretty good one to pick up.
Now, if it had been me, these are people whose shelves I would love to see and who I would have loved to hear about their books and their reading:
*Gabriel Garcia Marquez
*Mario Vargas Llosa
*Neil Gaiman
*John Scalzi (I like his blog, so I imagine he would have good insights given some of the things he has said already).
*Alan Moore
I think this might make a good exercise. If you were to do a book like this one, which authors would you want to include. These are just five of my favorites, but there could be a few more I would not mind including. Anyhow, food for thought. (less)
Part of the reason I disliked this book may be that it was just not the book for me at this time as a reader. Part of it may be that much of the argum...morePart of the reason I disliked this book may be that it was just not the book for me at this time as a reader. Part of it may be that much of the arguments Friend makes are things I have seen in other books such as Fast Food Nation and Supersize Me. I will admit that I skimmed parts of the book due to the repetition. It is not that I disagree with the arguments; it's just that I have seen a lot of the stuff before, so I did not really need to see it again. The memoir parts, to be honest, had a little bit on the "Pollyanna" tone. I think she makes a valid point: that you can be a carnivore and be compassionate about the meat you eat; more importantly, be very aware of where your food comes from and try to choose more compassionate and healthy alternatives. But a lot of the message is repetitive throughout the book (yea, I got it the first time). The recommendations at the end, while noble, are fairly unrealistic to the average person. I mean, how many folks do you know can afford to buy a whole hog or steer, let alone have a place to store all the butchered meat? I think the idea of buying your meat directly from a sustainable farmer is a good one, but as I said, not necessarily realistic, which, noble as it is, is where things fall apart for this book. And while Friend says people should just not choose to not do anything, there are no realistic alternatives, or they would take way too much work. I know I would not be able to buy even a quarter of a steer (an option in some places), let alone have the place to store all the meat. As much as I dislike factory produced meat, personally at least, I do not have too many options to go the more natural route the author suggests. The whole thing is a bit too much on the idealistic side, which is a pity because there are some good points in the book. Overall, not a book I would recommend. (less)
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